Jordan-Israeli trade almost doubled in 2000, jumping from $41 million in 1999 to $75.5 million in 2000, the Israeli embassy in Jordan announced Wednesday, February 21.

Jordanian exports to Israel increased from $20 million in 1999 to $37 million in 2000, the Israeli embassy said in a statement, citing statistics from Israel's ministry of industry and trade. Israeli exports to Jordan grew from $21 million in 1999 to $38.5 million in 2000.

Jordanian goods exported to Israel included textiles and air conditioners while Israel exported produce and agricultural products to Jordan.

The Israeli embassy also announced that Israeli clothing manufacturer Solon Knitting Mills Ltd had invested $1.5 million in three Jordanian textile factories in an industrial zone in Irbid in northern Jordan. The funding will increase the number of Jordanian workers in the factories from 400 to 600 laborers.

However, since the start of the Palestinian uprising or intifada against Israeli occupation nearly five months ago, the countries' relations have been strained.

Amman decided in October not to post its new ambassador to Israel, Abdel Ilah Kurdi, to protest against Israel's use of force in the intifada. More than 410 people have died in the fighting, mostly Palestinians.

Meanwhile, a committee of Jordanian trade union activists has led a movement to annul Jordan's 1994 peace treaty with Israel. The committee published in January a list of businesses and people who have done business with Israel.

The Jordanian government arrested seven of the activists for forming an illegal organization. Six have been freed on bail. The committee's blacklist identified more than 20 companies and individuals, including a hotel, private schools, journalists, musicians, members of parliament and government officials. — (AFP, Amman)